hi there, my pig, basil, 3months old has an undershot jaw, his bottom teeth dont meet in line with the top.Has anybody got any understanding of this, i cant seem to find much info on this. I will be taking him to the vet again but would really appreciate some support as i think he may have to be put down. I hope im wrong tho.
2007-01-15 04:30:51 · 9 answers · asked by Martina H 1 in Pets ➔ Other - Pets
he isnt able to eat hay,he doesnt touch it. his top jaw is not in line with the bottom, it is not a case of just overgrown teeth.
2007-01-15 10:29:51 · update #1
He needs to go to the vet for teeth trimming. He has malocclusion. http://www.guinealynx.com/malocclusion.html Don't worry he wont need to be put down. The vet will probably need to put him under to check the molars as well since the molars are usually the first teeth to become overgrown. Does he have unlimited access to timothy and alfalfa hay. (At 3 months, he should be getting both. Up to a year. Then he needs just grass hay) Hay is the best thing to keep the teeth worn down. Many pigs will not use wood chews.
Edit: He's not able to eat hay because of the overgrown teeth. When the incisors are overgrown, they do not align correctly. Without hay, there is no way he can keep his molars ground down. He needs his molars and incisors trimmed so he is able to eat hay.
2007-01-15 05:40:06 · answer #1 · answered by pigs003 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
He wont need to be put down but you will have to take him to the vet regularly in order for them to trim his teeth. Guinea pigs teeth grow continuously and normally, they will gnaw at things to wear them down. Basil may not be able to do this if his teeth dont meet and the teeth could become overgrown if they are not trimmed resulting in him not being able to eat.
2007-01-16 07:05:41 · answer #2 · answered by Catwhiskers 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had a rabbit with a similar condition and I had to keep taking her to the vet to have her teeth trimmed. Unfortunately in the end she became quite aggressive because though it's not painful it's not very pleasant, also the condition made it difficult for her to clean herself. She didn't live very long, though we were never sure what she died of. The condition itself is controllable, the question is are you prepared to put yourself and basil through this procedure every month or so. Guinea pigs are better natured than rabbits in my experience to he may not react as badly as Flopsy did. Also their dung isn't as sticky and therefore it shouldn't be as hard to keep him clean so maybe he will be OK.
2007-01-15 13:14:38 · answer #3 · answered by gerrifriend 6 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Does he look to be in pain? If not, he may just get on with his life despite this problem. I had a guinea pig who lived for many years, though she was born with a crippled leg, and one which was born blind in one eye, but is still alive and happy today. If he does have to be put down I'm sure you will be doing the best thing and the vet will make sure he does not feel any pain.
2007-01-15 12:36:39 · answer #4 · answered by snowshoe134 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
Does he eat anything at all, undershot and overshot jaws are quite common in various animals. As long as he can eat and drink he should be quite happy, does he look depressed? you know not doing much, not eating, not responding to you or other guniea pigs?
2007-01-19 09:49:57 · answer #5 · answered by rose 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
See if the vet can operate, they can do loads nowadays.
2007-01-15 12:36:02 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
What is it with the giunea pig questions today.
Feed the little dude veg soup he'll be fine
2007-01-15 12:35:37 · answer #7 · answered by SilverSurfer 4 · 0⤊ 2⤋
take it to the vets ,
2007-01-15 13:34:23 · answer #8 · answered by stephen eblue eyes 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
ask your local vet
2007-01-15 12:40:33 · answer #9 · answered by BRIDGE 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋